Chapter Four
1022 Words
Chapter Four
Miss Evelyn had grown fond of her charge, and had once confided that she had 'a nice little nest egg put away for a rainy day', so she might be prepared to move with them and wait for her salary until her employer had found another job.
It could work. No, it had to work.
But to carry out a plan of that kind, Chloe thought feverishly, she would need time and space. She'd need to lull any suspicions on Troy's part, so he would call off his private detective.
The only way she could think of to gain time, space, and Troy's trust was to agree to marry him.
"Well?" He was still holding her hand, his thumb circling the palm.
Lifting her head, she said clearly, "Yes, I'll marry you." She even managed to smile.
His face impassive, he asked, "Then you're satisfied such a marriage will work?"
"I'm sure it will. It has to. I can't afford to lose Rea."
"In that case, we'll consider ourselves engaged."
Releasing her hand, he got to his feet and crossed to the bureau once more.
With so much on her mind she was a bit slow off the mark, and before she could put her feet to the floor he had returned and resumed his seat.
"You've lost weight since I knew you, so this may be too big now."
Like someone in a dream, she found herself staring down at the ring he'd slipped onto the third finger of her left hand.
Instead of the more conventional stones, nestling in an unusual stepped setting of gleaming gold were five perfectly matched sea-coloured opals.
It was lovely and romantic, and she felt the sharp prick of tears behind her eyes. If only things had been different. If only... the saddest lament in the world.
"I hope you like it."
"It's beautiful," she managed.
"I'd begun to give up hope of ever seeing you wear it."
In answer to her questioning glance, he explained, "It's a ring I bought over five years ago."
"And you've kept it all this time?"
"I had it made specially for you... to match your eyes."
Thrown, she sat like a statue staring down at it, until a hand lifted her chin and Troy asked quietly, "What about a kiss to seal the bargain?"
His face was only a few inches from hers, and with her heart suddenly beating madly, she closed her eyes and waited for him to kiss her.
When he made no move, wondering what was wrong, she opened her eyes and looked at him.
"I thought you might kiss me," he murmured ironically.
It should have been a simple matter to close that small gap and kiss him, yet it was the hardest thing she had ever had to do in her life.
Taking a deep breath, she leaned forward and lightly touched her mouth to his. His lips were still, and he made no move to deepen the kiss.
Disconcerted, without knowing precisely why, she drew back. Then, reminding herself that she had to convince him of her intention to go ahead with the marriage, she asked boldly, "I hope that's good enough to seal the bargain?"
Coolly, he answered, "It wasn't exactly passion personified, but I'm sure it'll do."
Wanting everything to sound completely decided, cut and dried, she asked, "Where will you want us to live, after we're married, I mean?"
"That's up to you," he answered evenly. "I usually spend my weekends here, but if you've no objection to living in Manhattan during the week, I'd prefer you to be with me the whole time."
"No, I've no objection to living in Manhattan. It sounds lovely, and I'll be able to take Stacy for walks in Central Park and to the zoo."
"If you don't like the penthouse for any reason, we'll buy a brownstone."
"Oh, I'm sure I'll like the penthouse," she assured him, "so long as I don't have to clean the windows."
He grinned briefly. "Unless you actually look down, there's no sensation of height. And if this heatwave continues, you'll find the terrace can be beautifully cool."
If this heatwave continues... No, he couldn't mean what she thought he meant. Telling herself to stay calm, she asked, "Have you decided when you'd like the wedding to take place?"
"Tomorrow."
Feeling as though her heart had stopped, she stammered, "T-tomorrow? Surely you don't mean it?"
"Why not? You're on the spot and there's no reason to wait."
"No! No, I can't possibly get married that soon. I thought maybe in a month or so."
When he didn't answer, she rushed on, "There's an awful lot to do."
"Such as?"
"Well, I — I'll need to tell my boss I'm leaving, and work at least a month's notice."
"I'll take care of that," Troy said. He added humorously, "I'll tell him I'm more than happy for the deal to go ahead, so long as I can marry his favourite analyst immediately."
"But it wouldn't be fair to just leave after all he's done for me!"
Seeing that argument wasn't cutting any ice, she pointed out, "In any case, I'll need to talk to Rea, to explain what's happening, so she can get used to the idea."
"Children of that age are very adaptable. It's my belief that she'll take it in her stride."
"And there's the flat... The rent's paid until the end of December."
"I don't see that as a problem."
"But I must have time to pack and move my belongings out."
Looking unimpressed, he observed smoothly, "I understood you rented a furnished flat."
Troy's detective had done his work well, she thought bitterly. Aloud, she said, "There are still personal things to be moved."
"Why is it so imperative to move them before we're married if the rent's paid until the end of December?"
Having no ready answer, she changed tack. "But apart from this dress, I've nothing with me except business clothes."
"That doesn't matter. Whatever you need we can buy. If not today, then tomorrow. The ceremony isn't until eleven o'clock."
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